ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF CHILDREN ATTENDING ANGANWADI CENTRES ORAL HEALTH STATUS

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the Oral Health Status of preschool children attending Anganwadi centres in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, and to assess its association with age and gender. A descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted during October and November 2025 among 400 preschool children enrolled in selected Anganwadi centres across urban and rural areas of Mathura district. Anganwadi centres were selected using random sampling, and children present on the day of examination who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were examined. Ethical clearance was obtained prior to the commencement of the study. In our study: Oral health status of preschool children was assessed through clinical examination conducted at Anganwadi centres using knee-to-knee positioning under natural daylight with torchlight assistance where required. Dentition status and dental caries experience were recorded using standard criteria to identify the presence or absence of carious lesions. Oral hygiene status was evaluated using an appropriate oral hygiene index, categorizing children into good, fair, and poor oral hygiene groups.